<p>I am a Class 2017 wannabe. Visited some top university sites and came across somethings like SAT, ACT, AP, IB.
1) I find myself more comfortable with ACT than SAT and many universites accept both, while surfing on cc I have found that many gave SAT, so is there any secret behind?</p>
<p>2) Due to proximity of area, I have no schools offering APs near by and I am seriously determined to get top bracket in JEE & AIEEE so course load is no doubt heavy. So if I dont have any APs does it make any difference?</p>
<p>I am academically strong( ntse, mtse, olympiad, blah blah)</p>
<p>By the way it is my first post.</p>
<p>APs would be an advantage and taking them would show the college your full potential. However, I do not think it would be much of a problem if you do not take it as most colleges stress on students ‘taking the most challenging course of study at their school’ and if your school doesn’t offer APs, no problem! </p>
<p>SAT is the most widely accepted standardised test and a lot depends on your SAT scores along with your GPA and Extra-Curricular activities.</p>
<p>Well, the SAT’s appeal of being widely accepted comes into play when you’re applying to that one religious for profit university with an acceptance rate of 100% in the middle of nowhere. In short, take whichever test you want to. It’s not going to affect you at all.</p>
<p>As for APs and the EE exams … well here’s the thing. Tell the admissions committees that you’ve been preparing for these exams. Tell them that you allocate x # of hours towards studying the course of these exams every day. I did it. This way, you have a valid substitute for those hours which could have been put towards some other convention extracurricular activity. After all, the very fact you’re putting x # of hours to this once activity shows how committed and passionate you are about it. </p>
<p>APs per say would hardly affect your application if you’re already in great academic standing. Partly because CBSE/ISC/ICSE/IB are much more difficult than their AP complements. Also, you’re not obliged to take the AP exams if you don’t want to. All this being said, AP scores, do show a good academic standing in a system most admissions committees understand. But that’s it. Show. Admissions committee understand CBSE/ICSE/IB equally well. So no pressure :)</p>
<p>Although … those easy college credits do make you feel like a boss while selecting courses ;)</p>
<p>if you are more comfortable with ACT, then take ACT. ALL universities accept both ACT and SAT, but you have to take SAT Subject Tests along with ACT. But Subject test in PCM would be too easy for you if you are preparing for JEE! I took ACT last year and after me all my friends did the same. I feel that for a student with strong science base, ACT would be easier to crack(score 34 or35 at least if you are targeting HYPSMC).</p>
<p>As for APs, with a strong science background as you would be having with your jee prep, you can atleast give Calculus BC, Physics C both parts and Chemistry quite easily. As it is their own exams, they think you have challenged yourself fully! Actually, what Tizil says is right! But if you have time, take them. I had taken 6 APs and I think i have definitely gained from them during admission process! Advance credit placements for college course are yet to come!</p>
<p>Thanks everyone.
Taking ACT SAT TOEFL in OCT. ( just 2 weeks alloted for prep)
Lets see what yields the best.</p>